J. B. Sofia's Blog

Friday, January 11, 2019

Depression is REAL! And, yes, some people have a proclivity to get depressed and constantly fight depression more than others. Science and the medical field tell us this is in the DNA, which could very well be true. With that said, having prayed for and counseled scores of people who battle depression regularly, here is my observation.

Depression is almost, if not always, triggered by what we can and cannot control. (I could write pages of examples from children, to parents, to bills, to job circumstances, to romance and the list goes on.) In essence, what this means is that we haven’t haven't truly or fully given the situation/circumstance to God. It means we really do not trust Him (to do it our way). It also means we're not rejoicing in the Lord always and giving thanks in and for all things. (Moses and Elijah both wanted to die because they could not control what was happening around them. So, if you’ve ever been there, you’re in good company.) It means we’re living in disobedience. Ouch! Because…be patient with me…if we lived in obedience by “rejoicing in the LORD at all times” and “giving thanks in and for all things,” depression must flee. Depression can’t exist in a state of thanks and rejoicing.

When (I know these are strong words) we tell the LORD we want out of here and we have nothing to live for, are we not indirectly slapping Him in the face? When we tell Him those words are we not in reality telling Him He is not worth living for? Should we not enter every day living for Him? Is He not worth EVERYTHING?

Are we not commanded to “rejoice in the LORD always” and “give thanks in and for all things?” Why? Because God is worthy of our praise, worthy of our service—wherever and whatever that may look like. Can He not be trusted in ALL things? Will He not “work all things out for the good of those who love Him?” So, here’s my gentle counsel: Let go of what you can’t control—it will only get you down; give it to God and rejoice in this truth—He’s not only got it, He’s working miracles in YOUR behalf. Trust! In the end you’ll be glad you did.#depression#suicide#cutting#addiction

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Finally, I’ve found two words
which, in my opinion, aptly describe modern day politics—actually it may have
always been this way...POLITICAL SHENANIGANS.

I have two friends,
one an attorney and the other a mortgage broker, who are constantly sparring
when it comes to politics.One is a
Democrat the other a Republican.Of
course, I’ll let a half a dozen or more emails go by and add my three cents—the instigator that I am.LOL!The
Fed says the economy is very healthy and will raise interest rates by one full
point by the end of 2018.)So ‘two cents’
is now three cents.LOL!

After following
politics rather closely for the past 32 years, I’ve come to this
conclusion—here’s my email to the sparring duo.

Hey
Guys,

IMO here is the reality: When it comes to
politics just like when it comes to attorneys and the law (I'd like to believe,
Mr A, you are the exception, and I would like to believe there are exceptions
in every profession) however, with that said the reality is we are now seeing
that the Clintons were utterly corrupt, the Obamas administration was corrupt
on nearly every front, the FBI was corrupt, and I suspect that at the top and
almost all government positions from the President to the local police and
government there is corruption because
it is the nature of man. The Bible says,
"The heart of man is the deceitfully wicked above all else who can know
it."It’s also true of business,
the church, family; there are no exceptions—believe me I see it when I
officiate funerals—greed and the love of money corrupts a person’s
righteousness.

That's why I have made a decision to not vote “the
man” because I don't know his/her heart. Look at the disappointments we have found in
Bill Cosby and for those who were Weinstein friends, him too. Then there's Nixon, JFK ... and ... . Hey! Here’s
the reality: I look at my own heart and at times it's scary and disappointing—so
I'm not judging anybody.Just making a
point.

Therefore, I must vote policy; the policies,
which best align with what I believe the word of God holds up, and trust the
man/woman to God. Nobody gets over on
God. So, if the man is crooked God will
take care of the man.Look, even God’s “model
of perfection,” Lucifer, when pride was found in his heart corrupted his wisdom
and became utterly evil.

Only one man lived a perfect life that could be trusted
on every front and that was Jesus. He
doesn't walk the face of this earth today, but He does live in the hearts of
believers and we do see Him at work for those who are willing to surrender and
submit to His voice.Yet, if we’re
transparently honest, even with His help, what we do will be done with many
imperfections.

Monday, May 28, 2018

What I'm about to say I speak from my heart, from
deep within my gut as a father, husband, pastor and hard working citizen of the
greatest country on earth, the USA.

My father's parents migrated to America from
Sicily.My father and his siblings were
not allowed to speak Italian in the home because they were
"Americans." (Not saying that was right or wise, just want you
to see the picture.)Pop was a veteran
serving in the US Army.My mother’s
parents were English and Pennsylvania Dutch.I received Christ as a child with my mother while living in
Glassboro.My parents moved to Cross
Keys when I was seven; I am the 2nd graduating class from Washington Township
High School.Every student, there were
no exceptions, stood and saluted the flag pledging our alliance to "ONE
nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.”

Therefore, when the Pittsburgh Steelers coach,
and other NFL coaches and owners wrongfully sided with players staying in the
locker room or refusing to put their hands over their hearts during the
National Anthem, I was deeply dismayed.To me, it showed utter contempt and disrespect for our 'men in blue' and
all military branches.To me they
insulted the intelligence of every American who understands that NFL owners,
players and coaches make millions BECAUSE the police and military have secured
their liberty to not only play a sport they love, but make millions while doing
it.

Why would an American not stand for the National
Anthem, with hand over heart, in acknowledgment of those who have paid for
their freedom, many with their lives?I
know this sounds acerbic, but if they don't like it let them play ball in North
Korea, Russia or Cuba.

This is not about black, white, brown, red or yellow;
it's about respect for the Country and its flag, which symbolizes we are “’one’
nation under God.” The National Anthem
speaks of oneness and not division; it speaks of hope and unity, of poverty to
wealth, from the ghetto to the Presidency.To protest during its salute is to corrupt the very thing it stands
for.Some argue it’s the only way
African-Americans can be heard.I
disagree. There is
a right way and there are proper channels to voice our grievances.Take the case of Richard
and Mildred Loving; it was a long battle making its way to the SCOTUS.But, justice was done using the proper
channels (movie release 2016).

As believers there's a
right and wrong way to do things. e.g.: How do we right the wrong of
illegitimate children, which become the property of the state and every
citizen's tax burden? We foster and
adopt. We don't protest on football
field ... or wherever. I'm sure you've
seen the movie Mutiny on the Bounty with Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins.
Brilliant movie by the way! Well, if
this hatred, spurred on by the media and press, doesn't stop we're going to
have Mutiny in America.

It's frightening what
America is becoming. We are divided on
nearly every front—economically, religiously, racially, morally, and the list
goes on. I know you, Joe, and I believe
you and I want the same thing; we love the same God, and we want, truly, to be
"One Nation Under God." However, the Biblical principle of
sowing and reaping is in effect here.Sow
discord and we’ll reap discord. Oppression is a horrible thing, and needs to
be taken on head-on, but take it to the town hall or courts or social media …
but, in my opinion, using the National Anthem during a football game draws a
line in the wrong sand.

Let's pray we’ll see the
day, and live in the beauty of being “One Nation Under God.”

Thursday, May 3, 2018

The National Day of Prayer first commenced in 1775 when our forefathers called the then unborn nation to pray for its formation. In 1952 NDOP was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. NDOPputs an emphasis on repentance and prayer on a personal level, while, at the same time, placing national focus on those in governmental power. These areas are called the seven centers of power. They are leaders in: government, military, media, business, education, church, andfamily.

NDOP may sound political, but the NDOP Task Force is designed to mobilize all people to prayer regardless of political party or stance.

This year, 2018, our theme is UNITY. In my humble opinion certainly fitting for a nation divided on so many fronts: economic, religious, political, moral and racial just to name a few.

Thank you for joining us on this momentous occasion when thousands of churches and organizations, concerned about America’s future, have gathered today/tonight to pray for our healing.

Please remain standing, as the Mayor of Washington Township, Joann Gattinelli, will lead us in the flag salute.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice
Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I.
Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11
became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day is not to be confused
with Memorial Day–a common misunder-standing, according to the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American
service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries
incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American
veterans–living or dead–but especially gives thanks to living veterans who
served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

Monday, July 3, 2017

Taxation
without representation!"That was
the battle cry of the 13 colonies in America that were forced to pay taxes to
England's King George III with no representation in Parliament.As dissatisfaction grew, British troops were
sent in to quell any signs of rebellion, and repeated attempts by the colonists
to resolve the crisis without war proved fruitless.

On June 11, 1776, the colonies' Second Continental
Congress meeting in Philadelphia formed a committee with the express purpose of
drafting a document that would formally sever their ties with Great
Britain.The committee included Thomas
Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R.
Livingston.The document was crafted by
Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer.(Nevertheless, a total of 86 changes were
made to his draft.)The final version
was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4.

The following day, copies of the Declaration of
Independence were distributed and, on July 6, The Pennsylvania Evening Post
became the first newspaper to print the extraordinary document.The Declaration of Independence has since
become our nation's most cherished symbol of liberty.

On July
8, 1776, the first public readings of the Declaration were held in
Philadelphia's Independence Square to the ringing of bells and band music.One year later, on July 4, 1777, Philadelphia
marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires,
bells and fireworks.

Congress established Independence Day as a holiday
in 1870, and in 1938 Congress reaffirmed it as a holiday, but with full pay for
federal employees.Today, communities
across the nation mark this major midsummer holiday with parades, fireworks,
picnics and the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and marches by
John Philip Sousa.

FIVE FACTS WORTH NOTING

1. It is
America’s biggest non-religious holiday.

2.
America celebrates July 4as Independence Day because it was July 4,
1776 that the members of the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia
and adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

3. In
1777, Philadelphians remembered the 4th of July by ringing bells,
firing guns, lighting candles and setting off firecrackers.

4. When
the War of Independence ended in 1783, July 4th became a holiday in
some places – Boston being one of them.Speeches, military events, parades and fireworks marked the day.

5. In
1941 Congress declared July 4th a Federal Holiday. Today it is celebrated throughout America in
every State.